T-Mobile Launches GSM/802.11 Phone In Germany

prostoalex writes "German subscibers of T-Mobile can now get a hybrid PDA phone that supports both GSM and WiFi wireless networks. The new Mobile Digital Assistant (pretty pictures) will connect to cellular and wireless hotspots built by T-Mobile as well as any 802.11a/g Wireless LANs."

Comments

From the article:

[Senator Bozo]

The MDA III supports GSM and Wi-Fi, and includes a retractable QWERTY keyboard that slips within the device when not in use

Seeing how this thing will be sold in Germany, shouldn't it be a QWERTZ keyboard, or are they trying to irritate their customers? If it is a QWERTY, does it have Umlauts?

More pictures and info here!

[Anonymous Coward]

http://www.uk-net.org/modules.php?name=News&file=a rticle&sid=163&mode=nested&order=0&thold=- 1

Re:Lan capability?

[Zone-MR]

Depends what you mean "access your phone". You can connect to it, copy files, synchronise contacts/emails/etc.

Another potential use would be streaming MP3's from your home computer so you can walk around the house listening to them on your XDA.

Basically anything you write software. I've written a util for my XDAII which connects to my home server over GPRS, and links in with my home automation. So regardless of where I am, I am instantly alerted when someone approaches the house, presses the doorbell, etc. One click and I can stream the video from a small driveway camera, and another click and I can open the door/turn lights on/whatever.

Malware gateway

[matthewg42]

This sort of thing could provide a convenient gateway to the private mobile neworks for worms and the like. I'm sure there are Russian "businessmen" rubbing their hands with glee at the thought. The screenshot is WinCE? [ROTFL] It's only a matter of time now.

Will they allow VOIP?

[pubjames]

I wonder if they will allow you to make VOIP calls over the WiFi link using this handset. That would be really neat, but unfortunately VOIP is a threat the the profits of companies like T-mobile. So they will probably do something to prevent this. Unless of course they charge for the WiFi connection by usage, which of course removes the principal benefit of VOIP for the user.

Re:Will they allow VOIP?

[Anonymous Coward]

Motorolla is doing this today in the US. For companies with investments in wireless and (at least) Avaya VOIP call switches you can seemlessly roam from the WIFI to the cellular network or vise versa even while a call is present.

It even changes the display on your cellular phone to match the feature sets on your company VOIP phone.

Handy

[chrispl]

If this will let you make VoIP calls from any wifi network it would be really useful (read cheap), especially in metro areas like Berlin. On the way from home to work (a 20 minute drive) there are just over 100 wifi access points. About a dozen are cafes and T-com public APs but most are personal APs built into the DSL modems/routers that are given away for free with the internet service. Half of them wide open and on default settings. Someone *could* park their car just about anywhere and make free calls etc, if they were into that kind of thing...

Re:WiFi on a phone - I never thought I'd see this.

[Anonymous Coward]

This is not the only one. They will also have Wi-Fi in the new Nokia 9500 Communicator. See the Feature list on Nokia's site

It's a Shame

[XScB]

It's a shame it's a PocketPC device. I spent months last year trying to use and being frustrated by the PocketPC OS. It's crap and clever marketing (like this) can't save it.

I think a sub-notebook with a WLAN and GSM card will probably be more use.

Re:It's a Shame

[jcostantino]

Yeah, PocketPC sucks but it's "oK' for tiny devices. I actually ignored PocketPC for about two years and a coworker showed me his new HP. Very nice, interface sucks. It took him 10 minutes of fiddling with it and an extra five of mine to figure out where the MAC address for the wireless card is.

This thing first and foremost is a telephone, I could at least see holding this thing up to my head to make a phone call. I'd hate to have to pull my Libretto L5* out and hold it up to my head like a Nokia N-gage. (just kidding, had to make the joke) Seriously, you would have to get a Bluetooth headset and either a BT laptop or a USB dongle for it or get a corded headset and at that point it's just a big pain in the ass.

I have a Motorola V400 and I consider it to be a bit on the biggish side.

*I don't own one but wouldn't mind one at all.

What is the difference?

[tod_miller]

An MDA is a PDA with mobile (voice) and connectivity, a SmartPhone is a mobile phone with PDA capability.

Are these converging or diverging and trying to control the markets with double speak? I would suggest that MDAs are more powerful, but the only real SmartPhones that are around are the Sony P900s, which looks fantastic.

Do you really want to lug an MDA around just for voice? I think seperating the application of a voice unit and a computing unit is best left alone, and a standard PDA and mobile is better, but that is me, and because I haven't seen anyone talking into one.

Nokia's WiFi

[troezen]

WiFi will be available on the new Communicator as well. The downside with that one, I hear, is the new "improved" keyboard.. But other than that, it looks set to continue the Communicator tradition of a really successful blend of phone and PDA.

Re:Some More Information

[AGMW]

A friend has one of the HP ones with finger print checker, bluetooth, wireless, etc all build in. He walked into my house and connected to my wireless network. Out and about, it uses bluetooth to communicate with his cell phone in his rucksack and connects that way. He has a small bluetooth GPS that it will connect to, and it will track his movement and overlay it on the maps (full Landranger set of maps for England and Wales for 150 pounds or so), including the admiralty maps offshore so he can see where he is sailing. It's amazing!

It seems to me that having the various components seperate is better than lumping them all together though. This allows parts to be upgraded or new parts added, and allowing him to choose best of breed, cheapest, etc for each component as he requires.

I suppose the downside might be that you are carrying multiple sets of batteries etc, but then you only have the bits you actually need with you, and multiple batteries perhaps equates to longer up time?